Atlantic: Series Thursday report

NELSON FASTEST IN AMP ACTION

SHUBENACADIE, N.S. (August 5) - Andrew Nelson was the pacesetter on the opening day of action for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship season finale doubleheader at Atlantic Motorsport Park on Thursday.

Riding his Orion Motorsport / BMW Motorrad Canada BMW S1000RR the Kars, Ont. rider turned a lap at one minute, 7.792 seconds late in the final session of the day.

Jordan Szoke of Brantford, Ont., who is trying to clinch a record seventh Canadian Superbike title this weekend, was second quickest at 1:08.245 on the Waznie Racing / BMC Ciclo Werks / DeWildt Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR1000RR.

Keene, Ont.'s Jodi Christie set the third best time of 1:08.428 riding his Jodi Christie Racing / Durham Honda Powerhouse Honda CBR600RR.

"We've been changing the suspension every time I come into the pits and that time I think we had a lot of the pieces pretty close," said Nelson, who swept both Superbike races in the Atlantic Roadracing League regional event at AMP last weekend.

Nelson comes into this weekend third in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship standings with 157 points. Szoke leads with 268 and Francis Martin of Sherbrooke, Que. is third at 194.

Points leader Szoke was fastest in testing for the Pro Sport Bike class at Atlantic Motorsport Park with a time of 1:07.617 on his Honda CBR600RR. His closest challenger for the title, Christie set the second best time of 1:08.351 on another Honda.

Szoke is trying to claim a record-tying fifth number one plate in the division.

Raphael Archambault led testing for the Amateur Sport Bike class on his Archambault Racing / Centre Hamel Honda CBR600RR with a time of 1:10.597. The St-Colomban, Que. rider is going for a perfect seven wins in the Amateur class this season.

Kinsac, N.S. rider Charlie Legere was second fastest at 1:12.265 on the Walter Chappell Well Drilling Honda CBR600RR.

White Rock, B.C.'s Olivier Spilborghs led the K&N Filters' Sport Twins class with a time of 1:15.128 on his Buell XB9R. Points leader Rob Busby of Brantford, Ont. did not participate in testing on Thursday.

Will Hornblower of Sarnia, Ont. was fastest in testing for the Honda CBR125R Challenge with a time of 1:31.069. Falmouth, N.S. rider Austin Shaw- O'Leary placed second at 1:31.570.

Practice and qualifying for this weekend's races will take place Friday. Qualifying will include the Pirelli SuperPole for the Inside Motorcycles Pole Position Award. Races in all national classes will go Saturday and Sunday.

Weekend tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. Tickets for Sunday only are $30. Camping is $20 per vehicle. For more info go to www.atlanticroadracing.com.

-source: www.cdnsuperbike.com